DEPRESSION

Depression is a mood disorder causing a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. Causes may include a chemical imbalance in the brain and stressful life events, such as the loss of a loved one. The persistent feeling of sadness or loss of interest that characterizes major depression can lead to a range of emotional and physical conditions. These include the inability to sleep or concentrate on tasks. Changes in appetite, decreased energy level and thoughts of suicide are also seen. The mainstay of treatment is talk therapy with a trained psychologist or psychiatrist. Medications (for example citalopram and paroxetine) that act on the chemical imbalance in the brain are also useful treatments for major depression.

HOW IS DEPRESSION DIAGNOSED?

The diagnosis of depression is usually done by a psychiatrist or a psychologist. The doctor will study the patient in a discussion that will involve a question and answer session which will basically try to ascertain the causes of the condition. Also, lab tests to check for any physical ailments may be conducted.

HOW IS DEPRESSION TREATED?

Depressed mood may not require professional treatment, and may be a normal reaction to life events, a symptom of some medical condition, or a side effect of some drugs or medical treatments. A prolonged depressed mood, especially in combination with other symptoms, may lead to a diagnosis of a psychiatric or medical condition which may benefit from treatment. Different subdivisions of depression have different treatment approaches. In the United States, it has been estimated that two-thirds of people with depression do not actively seek treatment. The UK National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) 2009 guidelines indicate that antidepressants should not be routinely used for the initial treatment of mild depression because the risk-benefit ratio is poor. The treatment of depression is best managed by lifestyle choices, which includes, diet, sleep, and exercise. A recent meta-analysis also indicated that most antidepressants, besides fluoxetine, do not seem to offer a clear advantage for children and adolescents in the acute treatment of major depressive disorder

DID YOU KNOW?

Stress and chronic physical ailments can also cause depression.

KNOW MORE

You may go through a spell where you feel low emotionally and physically due to some passing pressure in life. But if this emotional state of sadness and desperation becomes constant and starts obstructing your day to day living, it indicates towards something which is more serious and needs immediate attention. This condition is commonly known as depression. If you are suffering from depression your state of mind will become such that your work and daily activities will no longer interest you. This mood disorders affects about 350 million people in the world.
This disorder is not only common among adults, but affects persons of all ages. Thus even children can go through depression. This can largely affect their social and personal life. If you notice that your child is showcasing certain symptoms of depression, ensure that you seek professional help immediately. Regular sessions of counselling with a professional counsellor, especially dealing with child psychology, will help your child overcome this problem effectively.
The symptoms of depression varies from one person to another, depending upon the cause of the depression. Some of the symptoms of this condition include-
• You tend to be in a state of desperateness and helplessness
• You can possibly become uninterested in day to day activities
• You may experience change in eating habits
• Lack of sleep
• Short temperedness and irritability
• Tiredness and lethargy
• Self-loathing
• You might have problems concentrating
• Unexplained pain
• Obsessive compulsive disorder
Primarily you may suffer from the following types of depression-
1. Persistent depressive disorder
2. Perinatal depression
3. Psychotic depression
4. Seasonal affective disorder
5. Bipolar disorder
Among these, bipolar disorder, which is also known as manic depression can result in sudden mood changes and behavioral changes. This condition is often mistaken for depression as the initials symptoms are similar. If you get treated for depression when you have bipolar disorder, it can make the condition worse.
When you consult a doctor for depression, the first thing he will recommend is a depression test, this includes bloods tests, CT scans and ECG. These tests are usually done to find out if the cause of your depression is because of a health condition. Once all medical possibilities are ruled out, you doctor may prescribe antidepressant medication and refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to get to the root of your problem. Your counsellor will effectively guide you with how to overcome depression.
Lybrate gives you a chance to consult the top psychologists and psychiatrists and seek their advice either online or face to face. Through Lybrate you can get in touch with the top doctors all across India. Locate the top psychologists, psychiatrists and general physicians in Rajkot, Surat, Thane, Thoothukudi, Vadodara etc. Lybrate.com is an ideal medium of communication between you and doctors of your choice via online services. Subscribe to Lybrate.com and get regular updates and tips on how to overcome depression, Obsessive compulsive disorder and Bipolar disorder.
Consult top doctors for Depression online with ease at Lybrate.com. You can call doctor online and view their reviews. Book appointments online as well. Lybrate is best source of top doctors in Abids, Adarsh Nagar, Adibatla, Almasguda, Amberpet, Ameerpet and in any other locality in Hyderabad for Depression.